By Ndumiso Tshuma
Almost a month after her house was destroyed by a fire, Sithabisiswe Ncube, a resident of Old Pumula, is still appealing for assistance from well-wishers.
The tragic fire occurred on July 27, 2024, leaving her family with nothing.
“It’s hard to put into words what we’re feeling right now. Losing our home is like losing a part of ourselves. We’re grateful to be safe, but we’ve lost everything else.
The roof has deteriorated, and the rest of the house is in such poor condition that it’s difficult for my family and me to even sleep at night. We’ve lost our wardrobes, mattresses, and beds, so we mainly sleep on the floor. Any food we manage to get has to be cooked that day because we have no fridge to store it, as it was destroyed by the fire,” said Ncube.
Ncube has stated that she is now relying on the support of her neighbours and the local community. However, she admits it has been challenging as most people are unable to help due to the hardships they are facing.
“I have no means of accessing social media platforms to ask for help, so I turn to my neighbours, who sometimes assist but not much, as they have their own families to care for. I urgently need necessities, including clothing, food, and temporary housing until I can repair the burnt house,” said Ncube.
According to Nhlanhla Moyo, the Ward 19 organizing secretary of the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA), the family is living in harsh conditions, and the current state of their home is not suitable for long-term living unless the situation is addressed.
“The conditions the family is enduring are severe. The house has no roof, and they lack proper bedding or even a place to store their remaining belongings. We’ve been reaching out for assistance, and so far, only MP Sichelesile Mahlangu has responded. She provided the family with 20 kg of mealie-meal, 2 litres of cooking oil, and 2 kg of sugar, which will sustain them for a few days. However, more help is urgently needed, especially in terms of housing and other basic needs, to support the young children who are unable to fend for themselves,” said Moyo.
Anyone wishing to help the family can contact Sithabisiwe on 0777016079 or Nhanhla Moyo on 0788774394.
